Overview
Community Design Study for the On Dec. 8, DPD shared options that show future urban design and development possibilities for this area south of the Mall. The meeting also included information on pedestrian and bicycle improvement opportunities, station design information from Sound Transit and ridge design / transit topics from King County. View the meeting presentation and boards. DPD will post public comment notes from this meeting in the near future. The report for this study should be finalized by Jan. 2012. DPD staff are evaluating the next steps to continue a dialogue with the community and will continue to coordinate with King County and Sound Transit in 2012. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Seattle City Council Briefing -- Nov. 28 On Nov. 28, staff from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), King County (KC), Sound Transit (ST) and the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) briefed the Seattle City Council on planning for “Growing Transit Communities.” The briefing can be seen on the Seattle Channel (then click: Growing Transit Communities). This is part of a regional effort to bring healthy, equitable communities in centers well-served by transit. The following materials provide background information about current status: |
The City of Seattle and King County are working jointly with PSRC and Sound Transit, to explore ways to create a well-rounded, active community in the planned Northgate light rail station area. The opportunities for transit-oriented community development are tremendous, and they will help continue the transformation of Northgate into a vital urban center that has already begun with library, community center, park and Thornton Place development in recent years.
The broad goals for the agencies’ work include encouraging:
- Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and accessibility to and from the transit center
- Convenient transfers from rail to bus systems
- Attractive and engaging public spaces and street-level features
- Affordable housing
- Creating a better sense of place and meeting the needs of Northgate and surrounding residents
- Creating a healthy and sustainable community
Using federal grant money, Seattle is sponsoring an urban design study that is just getting underway in Summer 2011 and will continue through Fall 2011. This will look at key needs and opportunities related to the development of a new center in the light rail station area.
Sound Transit is continuing to make progress on its design of the station and will begin construction in 2014.
King County is evaluating choices on how to integrate bus service at the light rail station, and exploring a variety of options for future development at the Transit Center property that is west of Thornton Place and south of the Northgate Mall.
These efforts, along with public input, will bring more clarity to how the area can best develop as a transit-oriented community, and identify what changes, such as zoning changes, might be needed to support that. The agencies’ efforts will continue into 2012, shaped by the input received in 2011.
We would like to hear your thoughts on important priorities, goals and preferable characteristics for an improved transit-oriented community at the Northgate light rail station. You can comment through the online survey, which will be unveiled soon.
